BEYOND ARCHITECTURE

BEYOND ARCHITECTURE

An architectural education is excellent preparation for many career paths beyond architecture.  In fact, the career possibilities with an architectural education are truly limitless.  Anecdotal estimates suggest that only one-half of architectural graduates pursue licensure.  By applying the ideas listed earlier in “career designing,” one can launch a successful career beyond architecture.

As a profession, architecture offers a myriad of possibilities for rewarding careers – Irene Dumas-Tyson

Career paths beyond traditional practice tap into the creative-thinking and problem-solving skills developed from an architectural education.  The interest in these paths is growing; emerging professionals indicate that nearly one-fifth do not plan on pursuing a traditional career in architecture although they still plan to obtain their license.

Careers In Architecture and Beyond - Free Download

Career Paths of Architects

Tangents by Out of Architecture - Learn from those that have transitioned careers from architecture.

First, below are some PDF articles that we have collected over the years on the topic of Beyond Architecture.

AIA Career Options 2003

Architects Apart From Architecture: Architecture July 1988

Alternative Careers: Progressive Architecture July 1990

Practice Alternatives: Architect Magazine May 1992

Alternative Careers: Progressive Architecture July 1993

Architect's Alternative: AIA Chicago

Becoming an Architect Whisperer - H. Crouch (Connection Vol 19., Issue 4)

It's a Wonderful Life: Columns June 2008

Thinking into Other Boxes March 2015

Also, articles found on the web that highlight careers beyond architecture.

Eight Alternative Careers for Architects

11 Incredible Alternate Careers in Architecture You'll Wish You Discovered Sooner

21 Careers You can Pursue with a degree in Architecture (January 2018)

23 Alternative Careers Architects can be Successful in.

27 Careers you can pursue besides Architecture

28 (Exciting!) Alternative Career Options for Architects

Alternative Careers for Architects | Architectural Students (March 2022)

Architects of Other Things

Architecture: Profession, Playground, or Launchpad

What can you do with an Architecture Degree 2021

Below are the professional associations of many career fields that may be pursued by architects.  Contact them for career information.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

Society of Architectural Historians

Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide for the benefit of all.

 

CONSTRUCTION

American Council for Construction Education

The American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) is a leading global advocate of high-quality construction education programs, and to promote, support, and accredit quality construction education programs.

Architecture + Construction Alliance

The mission of the A+CA is foster collaboration among schools that are committed to fostering interdisciplinary educational and research efforts between the fields of architecture and construction, and to engage leading professionals and educators in support of these efforts.

Associated Schools of Construction

The Associated Schools of Construction is a professional association for the development and advancement of construction education, where the sharing of ideas and knowledge inspires, guides, and promotes excellence in curricula, teaching, research, and service.

Construction Management Association of America

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) promotes professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process.  The CMAA is leading the growth and acceptance of construction management as a professional discipline that can add significant value to the entire construction process, from conception to ongoing operation.

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

The Construction Specifications Institute advances building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance.

National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)

Founded in 1953, the NAWIC is dedicated to enhancing the success of women in the construction industry by building educations, careers, futures, and lives.

 

DESIGN (GRAPHIC, INDUSTRIAL, FURNITURE, LIGHTING)

American Design Council

The American Design Council is an alliance of individual professional associations interested in advancing a shared agenda to promote effective design.

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

The professional association for design, American Institute of Graphic Artists is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research, and advance education and ethical practice.

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)

IDSA is the voice of the industrial design profession, advancing the quality and positive impact of design.

International Association of Lighting Designers

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) promotes the visible success of its members in practicing lighting design.

Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD)

SEGD exists to educate, connect, and inspire the global, multidisciplinary community of professionals who plan, design, and build experiences that connect people to place.

 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Heritage Documentation Programs

National Park Service Department of the Interior

The Heritage Documentation Programs (HDP), part of the National Park Service, administers HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey), the federal government’s oldest preservation program, and companion programs HAER (Historic American Engineering Record), HALS (Historic American Landscapes Survey), and CRGIS (Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems).

National Council for Preservation Education

The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) encourages and assists in the development and improvement of historic preservation education programs and endeavors in the United States and elsewhere.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that provides leadership, education, and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize our communities.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people – designers, industry representatives, educators, and students – committed to interior design.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation ensures a high level of quality in interior design education through three primary activities: (1) set standards for postsecondary interior design education, (2) evaluate and accredit college and university interior design programs, and (3) facilitate outreach and collaboration with all stakeholders in the interior design community.

Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)

The Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) advances interior design education, scholarship, and service. 

International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge.

 

PLANNING / LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

American Planning Association (APA)

The American Planning Association (APA) brings together thousands of people—practicing planners, citizens, elected officials—committed to making great communities happen.  

American Society of Landscape Architects

www.asla.org

www.asla.org/yourpath/

The American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association representing landscape architects. The ASLA leads, educates, and participates in the careful stewardship, wish planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments.

Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is a consortium of university-based programs offering credentials in urban and regional planning.

Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards

The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals who affect the natural and built environment through the practice of landscape architecture are sufficiently qualified to do so.

 

TECHNICAL / ENGINEERING

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)

The ABET is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

Acoustical Society of America (ASA)

The premier international scientific society in acoustics, dedicated to increasing and diffusing the knowledge of acoustics and its practical applications.

American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES)

Multidisciplinary organization of engineering societies dedicated to advancing the knowledge, understanding, and practice of engineering. AAES member societies represent the mainstream of U.S. engineering, more than one million engineers in industry, government, and academia.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

The mission of the ASCE is to provide essential value to members, their careers, its partners, and the public by developing leadership, advancing technology, advocating lifelong learning, and promoting the profession of civil engineering.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

In partnership with the State Societies, the NSPE is the organization of licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) and Engineer Interns (EIs). Through education, licensure advocacy, leadership training, multidisciplinary networking, and outreach, the NSPE enhances the image of its members and their ability to ethically and professionally practice engineering.

Society of Building Science Educators

The Society of Building Science Educators is an association of university educators in architecture and related disciplines who support excellence in the teaching of environmental science and building technologies.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR)

The Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR) works for peace, environmental protection, ecological building, social justice, and the development of healthy communities.

Architecture for Humanity

Architecture for Humanity promotes architectural and design solutions to global, social, and humanitarian crises. Through competitions, workshops, educational forums, partnerships with aid organizations, and other activities, Architecture for Humanity creates opportunities for architects and designers from around the world to help communities in need.

Association for Community Design (ACD)

The Association for Community Design (ACD) is a network of individuals, organizations, and institutions committed to increasing the capacity of planning and design professions to better serve communities.

Design Corps

Design Corps is a private nonprofit that was created to coordinate design services that help create responsive affordable housing. Respect for those housed, the local communities and cultures involved are encouraged. Motto: Design for the 98% Without Architects.

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that works to build or renovate homes for the inadequately sheltered in the United States and in 20 countries around the world.

The Mad Housers, Inc.

The Mad Housers, Inc., is an Atlanta-based nonprofit corporation engaged in charitable work, research, and education. Their primary endeavor is building temporary, emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families regardless of race, creed, national origin, gender, religion, age, family status, sexual orientation, and the like.

Peace Corps

Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters

Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has shared with the world America’s most precious resource—its people. Peace Corps volunteers serve in 72 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Collaborating with local community members, volunteers work in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.

Public Interest Design

Public Interest Design is principally a blog about a growing movement at the intersection of design and service. PID is principally a blog about a growing movement at the intersection of design and service.

Rose Architectural Fellowship Program

The Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship offers a select few of the nation’s finest, early career architects the opportunity for first-hand training and experience in sustainable community design work.

Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED)

SEED® is a principle-based network of individuals and organizations dedicated to building and supporting a culture of civic responsibility and engagement in the built environment and the public realm willing to give of their time pro bono.